Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\ (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It.
   porcellana, orig., the porcelain shell, or Venus shell
   (Cypr[ae]a porcellana), from a dim. fr. L. porcus pig,
   probably from the resemblance of the shell in shape to a
   pig's back. Porcelain was called after this shell, either on
   account of its smoothness and whiteness, or because it was
   believed to be made from it. See {Pork}.]
   A fine translucent or semitransculent kind of earthenware,
   made first in China and Japan, but now also in Europe and
   America; -- called also {China}, or {China ware}.

         Porcelain, by being pure, is apt to break. --Dryden.

   {Ivory porcelain}, porcelain with a surface like ivory,
      produced by depolishing. See {Depolishing}.

   {Porcelain clay}. See under {Clay}.

   {Porcelain crab} (Zo["o]l.), any crab of the genus
      {Porcellana} and allied genera (family {Porcellanid[ae]}).
      They have a smooth, polished carapace.

   {Porcelain jasper}. (Min.) See {Porcelanite}.

   {Porcelain printing}, the transferring of an impression of an
      engraving to porcelain.

   {Porcelain shell} (Zo["o]l.), a cowry.